Daily Devotions from The Word Of God… From the heart of Ed Algreen

TEXT: 42 “Jesus told us to go and speak to the people. He told us to tell them that he is the one God chose to be the Judge of all who are living and all who have died.43 Everyone who believes in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name. All the prophets agree that this is true.”

OBSERVATION:In the preceding verses Peter went into great detail to show the people where, and how the power was given to he and his fellow disciples to spread the news of Jesus Christ. He also tried very hard to help the people understand where and how the power of Jesus Christ came about. These are challenges that we face today, for unless we know who is proclaiming the Word to us, and know something of their background and understanding of the Bible, we can easily be tricked into believing something that sounds like the truth, but clearly comes with little twists inserted by the speaker. What if you were challenged about something you believe about the Bible and teach or preach? What is your background that prepared you for proclaiming the Word?

APPLICATION:By now I hope that you have given some thought towards how you would answer questions that prompted Peter’s responses to his audience, that were based on what Peter knew must be going through their minds. You know, we hear it all the time: “Who do you think you are, to be speaking to us like some ‘holier than thou’ saint?” “Who made you king over everything?”. Friends, for those in authority, they have to earn their trust by the people. This is especially achieved when you live the life you are preaching. However when you can support your teaching or preaching with some credible material such as other scripture, or respected reference material. Imagine a missionary going overseas from our country, what do you suppose would help the people to gain trust in this stranger from another land? The same question is true when a new pastor comes into your state and city for the first time, then he stands in front of your congregation for the first time. When, and what causes you to build trust in that individual? This is the same challenge you would have in trying to witness to a stranger, they will look at you strangely and with some degree of doubt, until they learn to trust you. This is always a consideration when walking up to a stranger. They will hear what you have to say, but it will be laced with doubt until they learn that a life deeply grounded in the Word of God supports the mind and the words of the one speaking to them. They will also look to see if your life supports your teaching. Be careful that others will read your life as the best Bible they ever read.

PRAYER:Lord Jesus, You have allowed humble and meager men to share your gospel with this lost world. Thank You for entrusting us with such an awesome responsibility. Whether it be our pastors, our church leaders or mere Christians saved by grace, You Holy Spirit resides within us and will lead us to sharing all truth with the lost. Please work miraculously through us, so that Your work might be accomplished through even us. Lord, may Your perfect will be done in and through us. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE:There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Wordand read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Sebring, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you atBible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!